'Garapalan?': Even PGH not spared from flood control controversy
Dizon slams contractors for slow progress of project inside PGH
At A Glance
- The project was started in Decembe 2024 and was supposed to be completed June 15, 2026.
- The flood control project, however, is ony 16% complete as of June 17.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon inspects the flood control project at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila--and was surprised to find out that the project is only 16 percent complete two days after its supposed completion date. (photo: DPWH)
Even the country’s main public hospital in Manila appeared to have not been spared from the flood control controversy.
And Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has all the reasons to be furious since after one and a half year since the flood control at the Philippine General Hospital started, the project is only 16 percent completed.
“What we will improve? If you cannot deliver this by June, cancel it,” Dizon told the contractor during his visit at the PGH in Ermita, Manila.
Priced at P679 million, the project started in December 2024 and was supposed to be completed on June 15 this year.
And two days after the supposed completion, Dizon found out that the joint venture of two construction companies, one of them is associated with the family and friend of former congressman and now fugitive Zaldy Co, only hit 16 percent completion.
Dizon said the turtle-paced progress of the construction is unacceptable since its intention is to bring relief to hundreds of people who visit the PGH everyday.
And with weather forecasters recently declaring the start of the rainy season, Dizon said it is the entire PGH community which will suffer since the hospital is located in a flood-prone area in Manila.
“We are talking about a hospital here. It is really important because a lot of people come here on a daily basis and with the start of the rainy season, this will be flooded anew,” said Dizon.
“As the President said, our people deserve better,” he stressed.